Durham community rallies around athlete with Paralympic dream

Thousands raised at local golf tournament in support of Anthony Lue

Anthony Lue Fundraiser

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

AJAX -- Anthony Lue, a former Whitby resident and victim of a workplace accident in Pickering five years ago, has his sights set on representing Canada in handcycling at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Paralympics. Mr. Lue was just 21 years old and working as a mechanical apprentice at a local car repair shop in 2009 when the car he was in was crushed by a 20-tonne scrap yard crane, and then subsequently dropped from a height of 15 feet. July 20, 2014

WHITBY -- When a workplace accident five years ago robbed Anthony Lue of his Olympic dreams, he didn’t let it hold him back.

With support from his family, friends and the community, the determined athlete adjusted to life as a paraplegic and now has his sights set on becoming a Paralympian.

“It’s been a huge learning year for me but I’m getting stronger every day,” said Mr. Lue, 26, an avid handcyclist and former Whitby resident who now lives in North York.

Mr. Lue was just 21 years old and working as a mechanical apprentice at a car repair shop in Pickering in 2009 when the car he was in was crushed by a 20-tonne scrap yard crane, and then dropped from a height of 15 feet. He suffered a broken back, fractured neck, broken ribs, and spinal cord damage -- shattering any hope of competing in the Olympics as a hurdler.

After regular visits to physiotherapists and occupational therapists following the accident, Mr. Lue managed to get his life back on track. He now trains several times a week with the goal of representing Canada in handcycling at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Paralympics.

“I got pretty serious this season and I’ve been to Quebec three times, Michigan once and then we had the Ontario ParaSport Games held in Northumberland County, so I’ve been very active,” said Mr. Lue, adding one of his proudest moments was placing third at the Tour de Waterloo in June.

“It felt amazing and it was reassuring knowing that I do have what it takes to make the podium and that I really haven’t missed a beat even though I’m in a wheelchair.”

But it hasn’t been an easy road. Mr. Lue said he still has nerve pain and it’s a constant challenge pushing himself to the next level.

“One thing I’ve realized is that being a para-athlete or a disabled athlete is 10 times harder than being an able-bodied athlete because before I could just grab my gym bag and run out of the house,” he said.

“Now, if I’m not up an hour before I have to leave, I’m late.”

In addition to the heightened discipline required to stick to his goal, the extensive training takes a greater toll on his body, he explained.

“You have to be so diligent. Able-bodied people recover from things so much faster. If I go out on a ride, how long can I be riding for? Is my cushion good? Are my feet bent too much? Are they getting scratched? You can’t feel so you don’t know.

“Sometimes it’s nerve-wracking but you love the sport and you don’t want to stay home.”

While he still has down days, Mr. Lue said his spirits are lifted by all the people he has cheering him on, including people he’s never met.

On July 20, the “Racing to Rio” golf tournament held at Deer Creek Golf Course in Ajax raised $9,000 to support Mr. Lue’s training and other expenses needed to reach his goal. About $3,500 has also been raised at www.gofundme.com/anthonysrace toward the cause.

“The support is overwhelming and it’s what an athlete needs, really and truly,” said Mr. Lue. “It’s not an easy road and I can’t do it alone.”